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Warrnambool City Council will re-apply for funding to create safer boat launching and retrieval at the Port of Warrnambool.

Council had applied for $2.16 million in funding through the Victorian Government’s 2016-2017 Boating Safety and Facilities Program but has been advised the project will not be funded this year.

“This is disappointing but we have a strong project proposal and will look for State funding support in the 2017-2018 program,” Council Chief Executive Officer Bruce Anson said.

"This funding round was over-subscribed with 67 projects across Victoria seeking a total of $10.81 million.

“With $6.24 million total funding available some projects were unsuccessful this round, including the bid from WCC.”

Council’s safer boating project for Lady Bay includes the construction of a porous boat ramp – which allows waves to pass through the ramp rather than “shoal” up the surface of the ramp; strategic dredging, improved parking conditions and a new jetty.

“The proposal for the Port of Warrnambool is an innovative approach to solving the long wave surge that can make boat launching a challenge,” Mr Anson said.

“A scale model of the boat ramp has worked successfully in testing and it would allow us to deliver safer launching and retrieval of boats without major modification of a part of Lady Bay that many people treasure in its current state.

“The proposal will make conditions safe for boat launching and retrieval about 80 per cent of the time, instead of the current 60 per cent.”

Council’s safer boating project has a total project cost of $2.7 million. In the event the project receives State Government support the Council would contribute $540,000 to the project.